Family Economics And Consumer Education 3 (2+1)

Lesson 19 : Consumer Education

Consumer Evaluation- Methode ,Contents And Resources

1. Methods included:
• Participatory lectures
• Demonstration
• Field activities and exploration
• Experience
• Project work
• Product testing and evaluation
• Games and plays

A good consumer education programme provides knowledge and understanding.
Following systems should help a consumer educator to make his method effective

• be realistic and practical
• be positive in approach
• cover a wide range of consumer transactions and behavior
• adopt local language and example
• help consumer to develop value based judgements.
2. Content of consumer education
The content of consumer education should cover the following
• Management of resources
• Making wise decisions
• Development of sound purchasing habits
• Health and safety evaluation resources
• Conservation of resources
• Environment protection
3. Resources materials

For consumer education resource materials could be obtained from the following sources.

1. New papers and magazines
2. Leaflets of products provided by produces
3. Radio and TV
4. labels and package
5. Government hand outs
6. Environmental protection groups and consumer organizations.

Consumer Education activated should be conducted on the choice of proper resource materials. They can be books written by teachers who are experts to suit particular curriculum, materials published by consumer organization and other non-government organizations(NGO) and studies sponsored by business –firms, Chamber of Commerce, Professional bodies like Bankers association, Insurance companies etc
The consumer education resource materials should possess the following attributes.
Attributes of Resources materials for consumer Education:
Accuracy- These should be consistency in the statements with established facts Information must be variable and is up to date.
Objectivity- The relevant view points must be fairly presented. There should not be any bias.
Completeness -material must include all relevant information. It should not be misleading.
Language- The words, terms and the length of sentences should be carefully chosen and presented.
Non-discriminatory -the texts should not be derogatory to a particular group i.e. sex, race or age etc.
Non-Commercial -Brand names or trade marks of sponsors should not be contained in the illustrations.
All resource materials should be carefully scrutinized by the teacher or instructor. The educators must study the materials carefully before the selection.
Suggestion fro future development:
Consumer activists face problems and challenges in the area of consumer education.
Efforts should be made to promote the concept of consumerism and introduction of consumer education.
Hence the following suggestions should be useful in their functions as consumer educators.

1. They should conduct seminar and workshops to facilitate exchange of experience and ideas among members. It is useful to organize programmes to maintain regular communication with the people the Government and Consumer Organization.
2. Efforts should be made to promote the concept of consumerism and introduction of consumer education.
3. Efforts must be made to find out available opportunities at National and International level.
   Consumer Education should be encouraged and given support by providing resource persons, funds, sponsorships relevant information material and be exploring possibility if using the mass media , radio , TV etc.